Castable Sonar Device with Wireless CHIRP Transducers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current sonar devices lack the capability to efficiently collect and display comprehensive underwater data, particularly in aquatic environments where visibility is limited, and they often require direct user interaction, limiting their versatility and data processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A castable sonar device with a waterproof housing, buoyant components, and wireless communication modules that include CHIRP sonar transducers and cameras, enabling remote data collection and display on multiple computing devices, allowing for simultaneous data processing and integration of GPS information to create detailed underwater maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional sonar devices are used, then basic underwater detection is possible, but comprehensive data collection and remote monitoring capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sonar device integrates multiple functions including CHIRP sonar transducers for underwater detection, down-scan and side-scan transducers for comprehensive imaging, wireless communication modules for remote data transmission, and GPS integration for location mapping. This multi-functional design enables the device to collect diverse underwater data (acoustic signals, images, positional information) simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between enhanced data collection capability and device complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single integrated platform
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines previously separate sonar systems (down-scan, side-scan, CHIRP), communication modules, and GPS receivers into a single integrated waterproof housing. This merging of components enables comprehensive data collection while managing complexity through unified design and shared processing, allowing the device to perform multiple detection tasks simultaneously without requiring separate independent systems
2Extent of automation
If direct user interaction is required for data collection, then device operation is simple, but versatility and data processing capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The device employs wireless communication modules as intermediaries between the sonar device and remote computing devices. This intermediary enables automated data transmission and processing without requiring direct user interaction with the sonar device itself. Users can remotely monitor aquatic environments, access sonar images, and control data collection through wireless connections, thereby enhancing automation while maintaining ease of operation through user-friendly wireless interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The sonar device performs self-service by automatically collecting, processing, and transmitting underwater data without requiring continuous direct user intervention. The integrated system autonomously executes sonar imaging, data processing, and wireless transmission functions, allowing the device to operate independently while users remotely monitor results through computing devices. This self-service capability enhances automation while maintaining operational simplicity through automated workflows
3Measurement precision
If visibility is limited in aquatic environments, then underwater exploration is challenging, but sonar data collection becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical vision (mechanical/optical system) with acoustic wave-based sonar detection to overcome visibility limitations in aquatic environments. By substituting optical mechanisms with acoustic field-based detection, the system achieves precise measurement of underwater objects, marine life, and terrain features without being constrained by light penetration. The CHIRP sonar transducers and scanning transducers generate and detect acoustic signals that propagate effectively in water, enabling accurate measurement despite complete darkness or turbidity
Solution Approach 2:
The device employs periodic scanning actions through down-scan and side-scan transducers that systematically sweep acoustic beams across underwater regions. This periodic scanning pattern enables comprehensive coverage of the underwater environment, building detailed images and maps through sequential acoustic measurements. The periodic action allows the system to overcome visibility limitations by systematically probing the environment rather than relying on single-shot optical detection, thereby enhancing measurement precision in low-visibility conditions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides enhanced underwater data collection and processing capabilities, enabling users to remotely monitor aquatic environments, detect objects of interest, and create detailed maps, improving data accuracy and user interaction through wireless communication and advanced sonar technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The housing may have a buoyant component
Implementation Method 2
The housing may include a sonar transducer element configured to produce compressed high intensity radar pulse (CHIRP) sonar
Implementation Method 3
sonar data collected from a sonar device can provide useful information... locate marine life, underwater objects, depth and topography
Data Source
AI summary
Various implementations described herein are directed to a castable sonar device that may include a housing. The housing may include a buoyant component and a sonar transducer element configured to produce compressed high intensity radar pulse (CHIRP) sonar. The housing may include a wireless data communication module for communicating with one or more wireless computing devices enabled to display sonar images.